Quartz countertops beautify the home, including the bathroom and kitchen, and offer many other benefits. Quartz countertop gives you a durable surface that can withstand all types of pressure and wouldn’t crack while also providing the aesthetic appeal of stone. Since quartz is a non-porous material, they don’t get stained, and you can bank on it to look tidy always.
However, when planning to renovate or upgrade your home with a quartz countertop, you must consider how heavy quartz can be. It is important you know the size and the breakdown of everything you need to know about the countertop. In this article, you will find out the weight of a quartz countertop, including the weight per square, to help you know if your cabinet will support this weight.
People have different kitchen sizes, making it difficult to conclude the definite weight of a quartz countertop. So, to get a better idea of the weight, we will be breaking down the weight of the quartz per square foot. The most common weight of a quartz countertop is 3 centimeters or 1 ¼ inch for the thickness.
How Much Does A Square Foot Of Quartz Countertop Weigh?
It is practically impossible to agree on the weight of a quartz countertop because we all have different sizes of kitchens. Therefore, the easier way to go about getting an idea of the right measurement is to break down the weight of the quartz per square foot. When you measure a quartz countertop weight via the square foot, you have to consider another dimension: a thicker quartz countertop will weigh more per square foot than a less thick quartz countertop.
Therefore, to get the accurate weight, we will start with the most common or average thickness of a countertop measurement which is 3 centimeters or 1 ¼ inches thickness. Using the average measurement, you can expect a weight of about 18 pounds per square foot. However, if you use a slightly thinner quartz countertop, you can use a quartz slab that’s2 centimeters or about ¾ inches, which will give you a weight per square foot of around 18 pounds per square foot.
How Much Do 3cm Quartz Countertops Weigh?
Quartz stone standard slab dimension is 120″ x 55″, and available in 2cm or 34″ thickness and 3cm or 1-14″ thickness. The density of the quartz stone and slab size will affect its weight. A 3cm quartz will weigh around 18-22 pounds per square foot. A properly constructed cabinet will support the weight of 3cm stone/quartz countertops.
Are Quartz Countertops As Heavy As Granite?
Granite is another option for people looking for a stone countertop. As such, it makes sense to compare the weight of quartz and granite to help house owners make a better choice. Quartz and granite have a lot of similarities and differences, but we will focus on the weight differences alone. Density is a very important word when comparing the weight of quartz and granite. Granite and quartz are both minerals with natural variation; their densities vary.
The overall granite average is a little heavier at 2.7 to 2.8 g/cc, while the overall quartz average is a little lighter at about 2.65 g/cc. For example, if one material is denser than the other, the same amount of material will be heavier than the other. This means that if quartz measures at 2.65 grams per cubic centimeter, the granite is a denser choice with a measurement of around 2.7 or 2.8 grams per cubic centimeter. Due to the differences in density, quartz is slightly lighter than granite.
However, since the difference in density isn’t much, users may not observe the difference in the weight of granite and quartz if they are of similar size when comparing them directly. Countertops of similar sizes of granite and quartz will weigh almost the same.
Are Quartz Countertops Too Heavy?
Quartz countertops are made from natural stones; this means quartz countertops are very heavy, and not all cabinetry can hold them. In addition, the Quartz countertop provides the aesthetic appeal of stone and gives you a non-porous, durable surface that can withstand all types of pressure, this gives quartz a major competitive edge in maintenance compared to other types of stone.
Depending on its thickness, a quartz countertop may weigh roughly 920lbs to 1650lbs. The added resins make the quartz countertop more flexible and prone to crack if not properly handled. In addition, you need to support the unsupported cabinetry areas such as desks or overhangs when placing a quartz countertop on the cabinet.
The quartz countertop is heavy, so seek quartz countertop alternatives if your cabinet cannot hold its weight. Although quartz is very heavy, its low maintenance and aesthetic appeal, make it the choice for countertop among homeowners.
How Do You Carry Quartz Countertops?
When moving a quartz countertop from one location to another, it is important to carry them vertically on the unpolished side and not horizontally. If you are using minivans and SUVs rest the bottom edge on the floor and put down the back seat, so that it can act as a support surface for the countertop. If you are using a truck, the countertop should be attached to an A-frame to keep them upright all through the trip. Don’t drag or push them across the floor or on the cabinet. It is important to take all the necessary precautions before lifting a quartz countertop. Wear a safety glove, and you feel it’s too heavy, drop the countertop and seek help from others or lift it with a crane. Even when you think you have done everything right, you could still run into challenges when transporting quartz countertop. Therefore, make sure you take all the necessary precautions to secure the countertop to the truck when moving it.
Conclusion
Quartz countertop is a great addition to every home. They are flexible, resilient, and less prone to chips and breaks than granite. Quartz is non-porous; it doesn’t need sealing. This article has explained how to calculate the weight of a quartz countertop, including the weight per square, to help you know if your cabinet will support this weight and help you make better decisions regarding your home.
Sources:
https://designingidea.com/how-much-does-a-quartz-countertop-weigh/
https://findanyanswer.com/how-much-weight-can-a-quartz-countertop-hold
https://answerstoall.com/popular/how-heavy-is-a-slab-of-quartz/
